Page 101 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016

Spring Garden Coffee House
Spring Garden, Charing Cross

(1730 - 1833)
The earliest mention is in 1730 and its location described as "on the right
hand in the entrance to Spring Gardens and St. James's Park" and latterly
as near Charing Cross. There is a report that "property in this area had
been demolished in 1759..... the Commissioners sold surplus land to
Francis Plumer... [who] built 3 houses on the site with frontages to
Cockspur Street. The last mentioned became Spring Garden Coffee
House". In 1796 Charles Biggar, proprietor, issued a traders' Token
confirmed in the records ofBatty's Copper Coinage which reads "C
Biggar Spring-Garden Coffee-House and Hotel for Gentlemen". Admiral
Macbride M.P., Plymouth 1784, died at the Spring Garden Coffee House
in 1800. It was described as "Frequented mostly by gentlemen of the
army. Good dinners, beds and every other accommodation necessary". A
famous street band used to play in front ofthe Coffee House to entertain
the diners on winter evenings. The proprietor in 1809 was Louis Monnett;
Robert Barnett in 1822-4; and 1826-7 Martha Barnett by which time it
was named the Sring garden Hotel. The last directory mention was in
1833.

A letter written in Sheffield, evidenced by a red mileage mark(YK2642}
on 31st March 1813 M. Wheat addressed to James Wheat at the Spring
Garden Coffee House Charing Cross where it arrived on 2°d April. It is a
long complex letter talking about legislation, mentioning numerous
individuals. The letter was charged at l/8d but this has been cancelled
and a revised charge of 8d? Imposed.